Science is critical for multiple aspects of society, but unequal accessibility to research results limits their impact. In our latest ecrLife post, Luigi Capoani and Linda Rotondo advocate for Open Access publishing and discuss future steps to make research more accessible. tinyurl.com/54s87wbr

Open Access: Truly Democratizing Scientific Knowledge

Scientific knowledge is key to societal progress and is mostly supported by public funding. However, publications are not always accessible to everyone. Here, Luigi Capoani and Linda Rotondo advocate ...

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We are very happy to introduce our newest ecrLife editor: Karishma Gangwani! She has a remarkable track record of working with multidisciplinary teams and communicating science. We are really excited to work with you, Karishma! tinyurl.com/2ucz2h95

Getting to know our editorial team: Karishma Gangwani

Karishma is our newest editor! Thanks to her unique trajectory and communication skills, she acted as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams, including doctors, healthcare workers, scienti...

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Scientific research aims to find the answer to increasingly complex questions In our latest ecrLife post, Daniel Kristanto highlights the potential of researchers with multidisciplinary backgrounds to propose innovative projects tackling the gaps between disciplines. tinyurl.com/3ccm89re

How Science Learns from Itself: Leveraging an Interdisciplinary Background for Meta-Science

Exploring different research fields as ECRs can empower us to tackle the gaps between disciplines. Here, Daniel Kristanto shares how he leverages his multidisciplinary background in his research and d...

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Grant writing is a pivotal skill that ECRs need to develop over the course of their careers. In our latest ecrLife post, Vinita Bharat and Crystal Botham share how discussing Nicola Ulibarri et al.’s book “Creativity in Research” transformed their approach to grant writing. tinyurl.com/bdfu8hdw

A Book That Transformed How We Advise Grant Writers

A must-read to learn how to center creativity in your research

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As ECRs, we are constantly trying to learn about the unknown. We then need to accept the inherent uncertainty that comes with it, but evaluations demand constant results. In our latest ecrLife post, Jung Uk Kang talks about how this dichotomy might limit creativity in science. tinyurl.com/57dbuata

Learning through failure, evaluated by results

Uncertainty is ever-present in research because we want to learn about what is not yet known. However, it is hard to embrace uncertainty when evaluations expect a constant output of results. Here, Jun...

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Why do we avoid talking about failure in academia? In this insightful interview with @ecrlife.bsky.social, the editors of Women, 'Failure' and Academia explore what can happen when we redefine and even embrace it: ecrlife.org/interview-book-women-failure-and-academia

Our PhD teaches us how to deal with uncertainty in different forms. However, uncertainty shows up again during our postdoc as we become more independent. In our latest ecrLife post, Vartika Sharma discusses underrated postdoc skills that are actually critical for success. tinyurl.com/ytcfe6ws

The Invisible Skills of a Postdoc: What No One Formally Teaches

A postdoc comes with challenges and uncertainties that are different from those of a PhD. Here, Vartika Sharma shares how managing expectations and building a community are key skills that can help us...

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ECRs often face uncertainty throughout our academic careers. In our latest ecrLife post, Jennifer Loudon Moxen shares how accepting uncertainty during her PhD led her to challenge her assumptions and learn more from her data. tinyurl.com/4znjupbe

When the data doesn’t behave: learning to embrace uncertainty in research

The journey through a PhD is not a straight line. Along the way, we face uncertainty when experiments don’t go as planned. Here, Jennifer Loudon Moxen shares her story embracing such uncertainty. Whil...

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Failure in academia is an abstract concept less spoken about. We interviewed Marina Cano and Rosa García-Periago to discuss their book, “Women, ‘Failure’ and Academia”. In this collection they explore understanding failure and how to repurpose it. tinyurl.com/mv56xjtf

Featured interview with Dr. Marina Cano and Dr. Rosa García-Periago: Women, “Failure” and Academia

Failure happens often in academia, yet we rarely talk about it. Instead, academics appear to avoid admitting failure, as conversations center around announcements of our successes. Here, we interview ...

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The hierarchical structure of academia is built on trust. However, it can be abused in ways that unfairly harm the careers of ECRs. In our latest ecrLife post, Ali Farrokhi and Angel Cisneros discuss how increased accountability could help limit abuse of academic hierarchies. tinyurl.com/2zfxzasf

Of the Structural Pressures That Silence Academics

Since their inception, universities have been regarded as lighthouses guiding the storm-tossed ship of society. These institutions, tasked with generating ideas that shape and secure the future of soc...

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Academic life is complex, especially in uncertain political climates. We publish stories of early career researchers to inspire us all to overcome hardships and celebrate achievements. Submit your pitch today: ecrlife.org/contact/ We are also recruiting new editors!

Owen Ouyang is our newest editor at ecrLife! Read about his experiences organizing seminars and his views on mentorship in academia here: tinyurl.com/buk8p4k7 We are all looking forward to working with you, Owen!

Getting to know our editorial team: Owen Ouyang

Owen is our newest ecrLife editor! He brings in a lot of enthusiasm and new ideas that will help ECRs along their journey. Welcome to the team, Owen!

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Ageism in the workplace unfairly limits career opportunities. Combating ageism helps us better leverage the combined ideas and experiences of all our colleagues on our way to success. Read more about ageism in this post recommended by our readers: www.websiteplanet.com/blog/guide-t...

Combating Ageism in the Workplace: Tips and Resources

Combating Ageism in the Workplace: Discover tips and resources to fight bias, foster inclusivity, and create an age-diverse work environment.

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You finished your post-PhD introspection and have decided your path. This is only the start of a new adventure, as your future goals may change. @haeltermannele.bsky.social shares ideas on how to tackle these new challenges and continue to develop necessary skills. ecrlife.org/overcoming-a...

How to overcome your “academic midlife crisis” (Part 3 – Reshaping your skill sets to fit your career path(s))

Finding the perfect job after your PhD is not straightforward, but doing it takes experience. You might need to look at different fields, and your goals could change over time. In part 3 of her academ...

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ECRs strive to see their work published. It can be discouraging to see the product of our hard work rejected without review. In our latest ecrLife post, Dr. Taddese Zerfu explains why desk rejections happen and how we can avoid them. ecrlife.org/why-desk-rej...

Why desk rejections happen and how young researchers can avoid them: practical lessons from experience

Publishing our work is a critical part of an ECR’s journey. Papers are not always sent out for revision, and it can be discouraging for ECRs to face desk rejections. Here, Taddese Zerfu shares his ins...

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Academia is built on collaboration and mentorship. However, as ECRs, we tend to hesitate to reach out to our seniors. In our latest ecrLife post, @owenouyang.bsky.social encourages young scientists to give it a try, since many seniors are happy to write back and provide advice. tinyurl.com/35u7hw5h

Reaching Out to Senior Scientists: A Step Worth Taking

When we start out as early career researchers, we often hesitate to reach out to senior scientists. However, they are often excited to help young scientists. Here, Owen Ouyang discusses how mentorship...

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Academic careers are full of surprises. Following our drive to learn, we can end up learning skills we may not have previously considered. In our latest ecrLife post, @tsay.bsky.social shares how he explored multiple fields and combines their skill sets in his current position: tinyurl.com/bdfzy3yj

Zigs Can Zag with Purpose: Finding My Calling in Science

Academic careers are full of surprises. Every step brings new questions that might involve navigating diverse fields. Here, Jonathan Tsay tells us how exploring multiple fields led him to the position...

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The end of a PhD comes with important decisions. Are we convinced by our current career path, or should we explore other options? In her series of ecrLife blog posts, Nele Haelterman explores how to face this “academic midlife crisis”: Part 1: tinyurl.com/bdzkp8x6 Part 2: tinyurl.com/mv6jvd72

Are you an Early Career Researcher with something to say about any topic related to life in academia? Our blog, ecrLife, aims to publish just that: the voices and opinions of ECRs about life in academia. We are currently looking for new blog pitches and editors! Pitch us: ecrlife.org/contact/